Olympian Kevin Miller Sets the Record Straight

Varelitas

Kevin Miller is not playing for the Spartans next year. He intends to graduate.

Kevin Miller did not take advantage of the NCAA rule that allowed Olympians to play for their respective teams without being enrolled in classes.

Any game Kevin Miller plays from now on could be his last as a Spartan.

"It was going to be best for me," Miller said after Michigan State's NCAA first-round victory over Harvard. "It was going to be best for the team. I really didn't want to come back and play all next year. It wouldn't help me that much."

Miller has his reasons for not playing next year. He wants to graduate. He wants to enjoy the last few months of his senior year. He's enrolled in classes--not the hardest ones, he admits--but ones that will help him graduate.

The Spartan Olympian is also enrolled in a class on the ice--college hockey's first class. Right now, he's one of the better players in the tournament. In two games against Harvard this weekend, Miller scored three goals. Three big goals.

Without Miller's hat trick, Harvard and MSU would have finished tied, 8-8.

"He's one of the best players in the country," teammate Danton Cole said. "When he came back, it just helped the confidence of the entire team. When Kevin's out there, he makes things happen."

Miller made a lot of things happen this weekend. His third goal, coming off a patiently-executed power play, was a quick slapshot that beat goalie Michael Francis. It was also the series' game-winner.